Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Oh, my aching back!

Got back pain? Take this recent quiz from Vitality magazine to learn more!

While back pain doesn’t have to be a direct symptom of lupus, I know first-hand that spending countless days in bed can make the issue all too familiar. I remember consulting my doctor on severe back pain once, and was amazed that once I employed a trick or two that the nurse recommended (like turning on my side and swinging my legs out to get out of bed…), the pain in my lower back all but disappeared. Wish the pain in the rest of my joints could have been remedied so quickly!

1) How many doctor visits each year are because of back problems?A - 5 millionB - 12 millionC - 20 millionD - 22 million

3) What happens when osteoarthritis occurs in the spine?A - it damages the cartilageB - it damages the joints in the spineC - A and BD - none of the above

4) What can be done to prevent back pain?A - maintain a healthy weightB - exercise regularlyC - lift objects while bending at the knee, not the waistD - all of the above

5) One of the most common back injuries is a slipped, or herniated, disc. What does this mean?A - a spinal disc has moved down the spineB - a spinal disc has twistedC - disc material has bulged into the spinal canalD - none of the above

6) What causes a slipped disc?A - a strain on the backB - ageC - sudden twisting movementD - all of the above

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Sara Gorman

In 2001, I was diagnosed with systemic lupus, at the age of 26. I had been married less than 6 weeks and was at a highpoint in my career in television production. While I fought to keep hold of the life I'd known - demanding, yet fulfilling career, busy social life, packed vacation schedule - after four years of running my body into the ground, I realized I was fighting life, not living it. Thus, I downshifted almost every aspect of my life. I let go of my career and made it my number one priority to get myself back in good health. I'm proud to say that I've reached my goal, but work each day to maintain that healthy lifestyle. despite lupus. My book details the steps it took to reach that goal. A native of Indiana and graduate of the University of Notre Dame, I reside in Alexandria, Virginia with my husband, two young daughters, and pug dog.